The face-off between Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chien Jen in Stampin is a key battle in the coming general election (GE14).

Although the stake is high between the two heavyweights, it is not likely to be a do or die mission for both of them as they will have the State Assembly seats to fall back on if defeated.

Dr Sim is the assemblyman for Batu Kawah while Chong holds the Sentosa state seat.

However, Chong who is the Kuching incumbent has less to lose as he left the traditionally safe seat for the opposition to challenge Dr Sim in Stampin where the chances of winning is at best 50-50 for the opposition.

Director of the Asia Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Prof James Chin told The Borneo Post Chong has everything to gain.

“If he wins, DAP reputation as Chinese voice is confirmed. If Chong loses he is still hero as people’s expectations of DAP are different,” he explained.

Chin also stressed that the fight between the two bosses is really more about Dr Sim’s leadership than Chong’s.

“Dr Sim has more to lose politically if he is defeated by Chong. Although he remains a state minister no matter what happens, people will use this issue against him because so many SUPP people had told him not to stand. He is already YB (state assemblyman) and senator and should have given a chance to others,” he stressed.

However, Dr Sim has already announced that he is giving up his senator’s post to pave the way for him to contest in the Stampin parliamentary seat.

Meanwhile, a Sarawak-based political analyst, Associate Professor Dr Jeniri Amir of Unimas believed that the Chinese voters are still solidly behind Chong.

“To the DAP supporters, Chong is their hero. He is very vocal and act as the voice for the community,” he said.

Jeniri also agreed that Dr Sim already has too much on his plate now as state assemblyman, state minister and although he has resigned from Senate, vying for a parliamentary seat might not sit well with his own party members.

“I believe he will give the senator position to Robert Lau to placate the young SUPP leader who had to give way Datuk Andrew Wong to contest on SUPP ticket in Sibu,” Jeniri predicted

Although on the paper Chong seems to be the favourite, Jeniri believes that Dr Sim’s good relationship with the Bumiputera community and Barisan Nasional coalition partners will give the heart specialist some advantage.

“Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will be mobilising their machinery to make sure all Bumiputera voters go out voting for Dr Sim. PBB has the best machinery at grassroots level.

“After the nomination, all sub-branch leaders will be tasked with responsibility to check all voters and make sure they go out voting for Dr Sim on polling day,” Jeniri added.

With undivided support from the Bumiputera community and some support from the Chinese SUPP supporters, Jeniri believed that Dr Sim will foil Chong’s plan to keep Stampin under DAP representation.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Abdul Hakim Bujang

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